Deputies will have learned, with profound regret, of the death, last night, of Deputy James Burke. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam.
He first became a member of the Dáil in 1954, and was re-elected in the general elections of 1957 and 1961. He was elected to Roscommon County Council in 1950, and remained a member until his death. An extensive farmer himself, his chief interest was agriculture, and he had been Chairman of the Roscommon County Committee of Agriculture since 1960.
While the welfare of the farmers —and the small farmer particularly— was his special concern, he gave generously of his talents and his energy in the interests of all sections of the community. His contributions to our debates were characterised by a fund of commonsense and a most valuable and practical approach. His chief characteristics were sincerity and imperturbable good humour. He was deservedly very popular, and his death, in the prime of life, is mourned by all of us. He will be missed particularly by his constituents, for whom he worked so tirelessly.
I would ask you, a Cheann Comhairle, to convey to his widow and family the deepest sympathy of Dáil Éireann.
Members rose in their places.